As the next morning arrives, we make our way back to the Enchantment Guild, eager to participate in the day's auction event. The moment we step through the doors of the auction house, Mathew is already there waiting for us.
"Master Asteria!" He greets us with a deep bow, right hand placed on his chest. "Please, come this way."
There are also several other staff members lined up with him to serve us. Mathew and his crew then escort us not to the bustling main floor but to a secluded private room. It's a cozy, intimate space, with a small couch that is very comfortable to sit on. Staff members quietly move in and out, bringing tea and an assortment of snacks.
Once settled, I turn to Mathew. "So, you've appraised the items, then?"
"Yes, they are excellent! As expected of Master Asteria!" Mathew exclaims. "The Master Enchanter who appraised them was so shocked we had to re-appraise them three times. The enchantments are all perfect and synergize really well with the materials. The Arcanum symbols are impeccably written and uniformly arranged. And on top of that, all of them have zero enchantment points left! To think that you could plan everything ahead and execute the enchantments this flawlessly…. This is amazing. Truly amazing! It's been such an eye-opening experience for me and all the other Guild members!"
"So, regarding the combat potential, are those weapons up to your expectation?" I ask.
"Oh, of course, of course!" Mathew replies. "Even though you only used B-tier blank weapons, they turned out to be much stronger than the ones we made from A-tier blanks, or even S-tier!"
"Yup, I'm glad you like them."
"It's our honor to be able to see such masterpieces. However, Master Asteria, may I ask a question? Why did you only use B-tier blanks? If you used better starting material, wouldn't the weapons turn out even better?" Mathew asks
"Oh, I just wanted to practice a little bit, so I didn't want to waste precious materials." I reply,."And on top of that, we are new here. It's the first time we've been to Vera, so we haven't established our connections with your craftsmen yet."
"Oh, I see… That makes sense," Mathew replies. "Then, if you wish, we can help you get in touch with our best blacksmiths, tailors, and jewelry makers."
"Oh, that would be great. I will be looking forward to that."
"Thank you so much, Master Asteria."
With that out of the way, I then ask about the auction that will take place very soon. "When is the auction scheduled to start? Shouldn't we be heading to the auction hall about now?" I inquire.
However, Mathew's answer turns out to be a bit unexpected.
"Ahh, about that, someone has already bought all your weapons for twenty thousand gold coins."
Sophia instantly chokes on her tea upon hearing this, her eyes wide with disbelief. I struggle to contain my laughter at her astonished expression.
I had expected one or two thousand gold coins, but now, it's ten times that! One gold coin is one thousand crowns. So, twenty thousand gold coins should be twenty million. Given the fact that one crown is somewhat equivalent to one dollar, that's a lot of money!
We just hit the jackpot!
"But if you're not satisfied with that price," Mathew quickly adds, "we can still proceed with the auction tomorrow."
"No, there's no need," I say. "Twenty thousand gold is already more than enough. Besides, the buyer has made additional requests, haven't they? Is that why you wanted this private conversation?"
"Ah, yes, you're quite perceptive," Mathew admits.
Apparently, the buyer is someone of very high status who wants to meet me in person. Even with perfect enchantments, the gear value of those items does not justify that absurd price. However, the buyer's interest lies not in the items themselves, but in me. In the entire Valeria kingdom, there are only two known Grandmaster Enchanters, all held in the highest regard. Thus, my potential status as another Grandmaster has understandably piqued their interest. The twenty thousand gold offer is a testament to the respect and desire they have to recruit me, and I would say that it's quite a generous gesture for a first meeting.
Well, I'm not actually a Grandmaster Enchanter, though. My rank is undetermined. However, they simply assumed I'm a Grandmaster due to my impressive feats.
"Then, when can we meet the buyer?" I ask, intrigued.
"They are here right now," Mathew replies. "If you'd like, I can take you to their room immediately."
"Alright," I say, placing my teacup down.
Rising from our seats, we follow Mathew as he leads us through the Enchantment Guild, heading towards its upper levels. As we ascend, the character of each floor unfolds before us.
The Enchantment Guild has four floors. The first floor is the market, bustling with eager enchanters and noisy traders. The second floor houses the main auction hall. The third floor is more subdued, dedicated to private consultations and intricate enchantment services, frequented by more experienced enchanters.
But the moment we enter the fourth floor, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. The ambiance is more exquisite and serene. The clamor and hustle of the lower floors give way to a quiet elegance. Fewer people walk these halls, wearing outfits of aristocrats, moving with grace.
Here, everything screams luxury. The walls are adorned with velvet drapes, and the floor is carpeted with intricate designs. Enchanted items are displayed like treasures in glass cases. These aren't just tools; they're masterpieces. I turn my UV sight on and the whole room literally glows with legendary-grade Arcanum writings. There are even Arcanum words that I've never seen before. I quickly advise Sophia not to use her Enchantment Sight on these items; the sheer power could be overwhelming.
We soon arrive at the room where our buyers await. Mathew gently knocks on the mahogany door. "Milady, Master Asteria is here," he announces.
A woman's voice from inside beckons us to enter. But the very moment my foot crosses the threshold, a sudden grip tightens on my arm. It's Sophia.
"What's wrong?" I whisper.
But she doesn't answer.
Her hand is clenching my sleeve, shaking. I pivot to face her, only to find her eyes wide, her skin ghostly pale.
"Master Asteria," greets a woman in a red, dramatic gothic dress, her hair cascading down like a waterfall of pristine snow, framing a face of ethereal beauty. "It is a profound pleasure to meet you," she walks towards me and dips into an elegant curtsy, "I am Ariella. Ariella Harrow, daughter of Archduke Eldric Harrow."
At the mention of that name, I too momentarily freeze.
Ariella Harrow... Daughter of Archduke Eldric Harrow, the one who murdered Sophia's family.
There's a shiver running down my spine right now.
No wonder Sophia is reacting like this.